San Diego musicians take on Measure B

Published Oct 26, 2016 at 11:14 AM

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San Diego musician Jason Mraz joins a list of other local musicians who oppose Measure B.

It’s about that time again: The leaves are changing colors, the wind’s a little more brisk, and half of the country can’t get along with the other half. Yep, election season.

With the circus of national politics dominating most of the headlines, it’s easy to forget about local measures and initiatives -- things that are more immediately relevant to residents of San Diego County.

Enter singer/songwriter and Fallbrook resident Jason Mraz, who made it big in the San Diego music scene before taking over the world with “I’m Yours.” Mr. A-Z recently posted on Facebook with more than one supplication to “Please vote. Please. Vote. Vote for something.”

But Mraz made it clear that he’s voting for more than just “something.” According to his Facebook page, “I am voting No on [Measure] B to protect our agriculture land from high density development. Of all the avocados in the U.S., less than 10 percent are grown on our shores. With continued development, that number will shrink. And I would rather eat and buy local. I support small farms and future farmland.”

Jason Mraz Makes Surprise Benefit Appearance

Measure B, which, if passed -- opponents say -- would allow the developer of the proposed Lilac Hills community to build more than 1,700 homes on land in rural North County that is currently zoned for 110 homes. In turn, opponents argue, crowding, congestion and taxes would increase dramatically. Mraz’s not the only musician against the plan: Grammy-winning songwriter Rita Coolidge has also voiced opposition to the measure, according to a news release circulated this week by SaveOurSDCountryside.org.

Proponents of the measure to build Lilac Hills Ranch argue that the development would benefit the community as a whole.

"My interest in the measure is as it affects Bonsall Unified School District," Lou Riddle, president of the Bonsall Unified School District Board of Trustees, told SoundDiego. “Our district is expanding quickly, and Prop B would provide for a completely paid for K-8 school that would alleviate overcrowding at other school sites. The new facilities would allow us to better educate our kids.”

Despite various criticisms leveled at the Lilac Hills developers, “they've been the only developer that's been great to work with,” Riddle added. “In terms of ease and cooperation, they've been outstanding."

As with the rest of the 2016 election, this will all -- hopefully -- be resolved on Nov. 8.